Mother and son face jail time for incestuous relationship

CLOVIS, N.M. -- A mother and son from New Mexico face jail time after their incestuous relationship was revealed earlier this year.

Monica Mares, 36, and Caleb Peterson, 19, appeared in court back in February when police learned of their relationship while investigating an "affray" near Mares' home.

“Caleb admitted to having a sexual relationship with Monica, whom he knows to be his biological mother,” police said in a criminal complaint obtained by the Clovis News Journal.

A "no contact" order was issued in February. The mother and son made a court appearance in March after that order was violated.

The mother and son both now face a jury trial in September. Peterson and Mares could each face up to three years in prison if convicted of incest charges, according to the paper.

The story is getting international attention after they recently talked to the Daily Mail about their relationship. The mother and son said they hope their story will raise awareness of Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA).

According to the Daily Mail, the mother and son started their relationship a year ago after connecting on Facebook.

Mares is currently not allowed to see any of her children -- and that includes Peterson, according to the Daily Mail.

Peterson said if they are jailed, they will be together one day.

"In two years time I can see us living together happily living our lives," Peterson told the Daily Mail. "True love can do anything. This whole case is about whether I have the right to love somebody and I sure as hell have the right to love Monica. You can’t tell me who to love, who not to love."